Pressure fluid operated pressure intensifying mechanism



Aug. 31, 1948. E. A.- ROCKWELL PRESSURE FLUID OPERATED PRESSURE a Sheets-Sheet 1 INTENSIFYING MECHANISM Filed April 11, 1941 INVENTOR Edwm-d Alive/swell ATTORNEY 5l sllmu rm 5:

I 3 an S8 Q Aug. 31, 1948. E. A. ROCKWELL 2,448,464

PRESSURE FLUID OPERATED PRESSURE INTENSIFYING MECHANISM Filed April 11, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 V 4-! m EMF: 5 M" I' \Q I: K 75: a 1 1 \p S ","Il \N/ n!!.\\ ,5 I I if 5 g I I I I I I I I I I I r i 5: Edward H.1ioc/oweli 6 Q0 ATTORNEY Aug. 31, -1 948. A. Kw 2,448,464

' PRESSU UID RATED PRESSURE .I SIFY MECHANISM Filed April 11, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 lllm.

jg'dward A. ckwell ATTORNEY E. A. ROCKWELL PRESSURE FLUI Aug. 31, 1948.

D OPERATED PRESSURE INTENSIFYING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 11, 1941 Maw INVENTOR Edwaid A. Rocfiwell B ATTORNEY E. A. ROCKWELL PRESSURE FLUID OPERATED PRESSURE Aug. 31, 1948.

INTENSIFYING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 11, 1941 INVENTOR Edward A. P/aclcwell MA ky -S QIL ATTORNEY Aug. 31, 1948. E. A. ROCKWELL 2,448,464

PRESSURE FLUID OPERATED PRESSURE INTENSIFYING MECHANISM Aug. 31, 1948. E. A. ROCKWELL 2,443,464

PRESSURE FLUID OPERATED PRESSURE INTENSIFYINQ MECHANISM Filed April 11, 1941' 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR Edward A. P/OCIOLUBZZ ATI'ORNEY z Aug. 31, 1948. ROCKWELL 2,448,464

PRESSURE FLUID OPERATED PRESSURE INTENSIFYING MECHANISM Filed April 11, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 I I I! INVENTOR Edward H. Rockwell V ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 31, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRESSURE FLUID OPERATED PRESSURE IN TEN SIFYING MECHANISM Edward A. Rockwell, West Hartford, Conn.

Application April 11, 1941, Serial No. 388,002

6 Claims. 1

My invention relates particularly to an apparatus designed for operating any part to be moved, but preferably an automotive accessory, by means of a power unit, in an advantageous manner.

The present application relates to a power unit which is an improvement over the power unit as set forth in my application upon Power system, Ser. No. 239,436, filed November 8, 1938, now Patent No. 2,434,588.

The object of my invention is to provide a system, including a power unit, forth-e operation of devices of all kinds but more particularly for the operation of automotive accessories, whereby more effective manual control of the latter is obtainable. An object of my invention, furthermore, is to prevent the undue application of the power, thus avoiding the tendency of automobile brakes or other devices to lock in position due to excessive application of the power. Still another object is to apply the power from the power unit while at the same time applying the manual force to the brake by means of a hydraulic connection from the brake, arranged to react on the manual means, plus the main reaction through the valve mechanism during the application of the power from the power unit to the brake. Further objects of my invention will appearfrom the detailed description of the same hereinafter.

While my invention is capable of embodiment in many different forms, for the purpose of illustration I have shown only certain forms thereof in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a power unit system made in accordance with my invention, taken partly in section on line l-I of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the other end of the same with the cover removed;

Figs. 4 and 411 show a view in a longitudinal section of the same taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 2 and 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the same, taken partly in section on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the other end of the same;

Figs. 8 and 8a show a vertical section of the modification shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic arrangement of the system including my power unit, for example the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4d thereof;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal transverse section showing a slightly different arrangement of the differential plunger and housing therefor;

Fig. 11 is an end elevation of another modified form of reaction plunger that may be used; and

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section-of the same taken on line l2-I2 of Fig. 11.

Referring first to the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4a and 9, I have shown a pedal l mounted on :a lever 2 which is pivoted on a shaft 3 carried by a chassis of an automobile, not shown. A link 4 is attached to said lever 2 intermediate its ends so as to give any desired pedal ratio movement of the pedal I to the brake-operating link 4.- The said link A is pivotally connected to an operating lever 5 of a master cylinder 6 which may be any desired form of master cylinder but, for example, such as disclosed in the patent to Loughead, No. 1,707,063, granted March 26, 1929. The lever 5 is .carried on a shaft 1 passing into the master cylinder 6, which has an arm 8 for operating a piston '9 carried in a cylinder l0 within a storage chamber ll having a vent l2 and a filler cap l3." When the pedal I is moved downwardly the piston 9 is adapted to discharge the liquid of the master cylinder from a flexible pipe M to an inlet opening fitting i5 screw-threaded in a valve casing l5 which in turnis screw-threaded in a casting H secured by screws l8 to an end closure [9 which is welded to an outer casing havin two pairs of ridges 2| and 22 between the ridges of each pair of which there are located straps 23 and 24 respectively. Each of the straps has hori- Zontal end portions 25' which are maintained in their spaced positions .by a sleeve 26 through which there is passed a bolt 21 having a nut 28. The horizontal end portions have vertically arranged ends 29, each of which has a nut 30 headed over into an opening 3| to receive a screw 32 arranged to pass through any desired part of the chassis frame for supporting the power unit. The liquid, upon being received from the master cylinder into the opening 15, initially passes through a passageway 33 and thence past a valve seat 34 and out through openings 35, in the valve casing l6. From this point the liquid passes out through an opening 35 to a fitting 31 connected to a flexible pipe 38 which leads to brake cylinders 39 arranged to operate brake shoes 40 carried within brake drums on the automobile wheels. The said pipe 38, by branch pipes, may lead to all four wheels in this way. A plug 42 normally closes the third available outlet for the liquid from the opening 36. The provision of the three outlets, where the fittings 31, 4| and plug 42 are located, enables the connections from the power unit to be readily adapted to the brakes irrespective of the different possible locations of the power unit on the chassis.

The liquid from the master cylinder thus initially passed to the brakes, will move the brake shoes p into position preparatory to the later application of power thereto for the main braking effect.

Simultaneously with this initial application of the hydraulic liquid to the brakes the hydraulic liquid will be conveyed through a port 43 in the valve casing It to an annular chamber 44 .on the outside thereof and thence by a passageway 45 to a fitting 49 connected by a pipe 41 within the outer casing 20 to a fitting 49 screw-threaded in a casting 49 which is secured by screws 50 to a ring 51 welded to the out-side casing 20. The said fitting 40 has a pipe 52 connected thereto which conveys the hydraulic liquid to an angular fitting 53 which is screw-threaded into a plunger housing 54 so as to convey the liquid by a passageway 55 to a central passageway 56 in said plunger housing. The central passageway 50 is closed by a screw-threaded plug 51 having a reduced central extension 59 to act as a stop for a plunger head 59, but in such a manner as to leave said head 59exposed to the pressure of the liquid from the passageway 55. The said plunger head 59 has a U-shaped rubber seal 60 in a recess BI in a stem 62 connected to said head. The said stem 62 has an internal screw-thread 63 so as to receive a screw-threaded end 64 of a stem '05 attached to a smaller-diameter plunger 66 reciprocable within a smaller-diameter continuation 61 of said central opening 56. A U-shaped rubber seal 68 is located in a recess 69 around said stem 65. Between the said seals and 58 there is thus formed a chamber for transmitting at all times the reaction from the liquid applied to the brake to the manu'al means. This .chamber I0 is connected by a passageway II to an opening I2 in the plunger housing 54, having therein an angular screwthreaded fitting I3 which in turn is connected by a fitting 14 to a pipe I5 which passes rearwardly on the inside of the outer casing and terminates in a fitting I6 screw-threaded into the casting I'I so as to connect said pipe I5 with the opening 36 for the liquid which is conveyed to the wheel brakes. The said chamber I0 also is connected by a p S eWay 1 to an air bleeder I9 carrying a removable screw-threaded plug 19 of any desired construction, for periodically releasing any accumulated air from the said chamber I0. When the brakes are being moved into position, as above referred to, the increasing manual pressure from the master cylinder moves the plunger 69 rearwardly, before the power is applied, so as to close a disk-shaped outlet valve 80, said valve 80 being tightened on a cylindrical extension 8| on the plunger 66, a gasket 82 being provided in a circular recess between the plunger 66 and the extension 8|. The said outlet valve 80 is located within a vacuum chamber 83 which is connected by a transverse passageway 84 to a longitudinal passageway 85 in the casting 49 and thence to the interior of the outer casing 20 which is at all times provided with a vacuum by means of a vacuum inlet port 8 6 in a ring-shaped seat 85a. The ring 06a is located in a check valve casing 81 headed into an opening 88 in the end cover I9, said casing having within the same a check valve 89 with peripheral serrations 90 to readily permit the withdrawal of air during the intervals of suction, which is applied by a fitting 9I screw-threaded into said casing 81, having connected thereto a Vacuum p pe 9 w ich leads to the engine mania fold of the automobile or any other suitable source of suction. When moved as above referred to, the outlet valve 80 seats against a rubber diaphragm 93 supported within the casting 49, where it is held in place by a ring 94 having peripheral air inlet ports 95 for admitting air from an air inlet port 99 covered by a screen 91 leading to an air space 90 filled with horsehair in a cover 99 having access to the outlet air around its outer rim I00. The said cover 99 is held in place on the plunger housing 54 by means of screws IN. The inner periphery of the diaphragm 93 is supported by a ring I02 which is fastened by rivets I03 to a spacing ring I04 having radial ports I05 therein and to a disk-shaped inlet valve I06 also seating on said diaphragm 93, and to a supporting diaphragm IO'I made of a fabric treated with an oxidized oil, and finally to a dished end plate I08. The outer periphery of said diaphragm I9! is upported between a gasket I09 carried on the face of the casting 49 and a. cylinder head I I0, having 'a'port III, which is held in place by the screws 50. The said cylinder head I I9, furthermore, carries a helical spring II2, the other end of which rests against the ring I02 so as to normally seat the inlet valve I09, and the said head IIO also carries a smaller helical spring I I3, the other end of which seats against a shoulder M4 on the extension 8I so as to normally unseat the outlet valve 89. The increasing pressure thus applied to the liquid within the pipe 52 will, as it isincreased, retain the valve in seated position while bowing the diaphragm 93 to such an extent as to open, as far as desired, the air inlet valve I05. Thus the vacuum which, before the seating of the outlet valve 80, has previously entered through the ring [92 and the spacing ring I04 so as to pass through the port II I to the right face of the cylinder head IIO, will actuate a large piston II5 carried within a cylinder I15 within the casing 20. The aid piston I I5 has a leather ring II! on one face thereof fitting within the said cylinder II6, where it is retained by a disk H8, and on the other face thereof a felt lubricating ring II9, carrying lubricating oil initially provided in the apparatus, said rin H9 being held in place by a disk I20. The piston H5, ring H8 and disk I20 are all carried on a piston rod I2I having a head I 22 to act as a stop against the cylinder head IIO, said rod I2l being screwthreaded for attachment thereof to a tubular piston rod I23, which passes out through a bushing I24 in a sleeve member I25 to which there is screw threaded a cylinder I26. The other end of the cylinder I26 is screw-threaded to the casting H. The said cylinder I25, at its forward end, is headed over into a cylinder end plate I2? provided with a vacuum aperture I28. In order to hold these parts together I have provided a clamping plate I2la through which bolts [21b pass. Said bolts, at one end, are screw-threaded into the plate I I0 and at their other ends carry beneath the plate I21 shouldered sleeves I2'Ic extending over the edge of the end plate I21, and these ends of the bolts I2'Ib are provided with nuts I 21d for fastening the cylinder IIG to its associated parts. The end plate I21, furthermore, supports one end of a strong helical spring I29, the other end of which rests against the face of the ring I20 to normally move the piston II5 towards the left in Fig. 4. The tubular piston rod I23 has a central passageway I30 to permit the reciprocation therein of a rod I3! having a head I32 which is prevented from escaping from the end of the tubular piston rod I23 by providing therein an internal fiange I33. The said tubular piston rod I23, furthermore, carries, against the right face of the sleeve member I25, a ring I34, 2.

U-shaped rubber gasket I35 and an angularpositioning ring I36 which is perforated to prevent an airlock. The ring I34 rest against a shoulder on the sleeve member I25 and the ring I36 rests against a shoulder Within the cylinder I26. The said rod I3 I, at its rear end, has a cylindrical valve I31 screw-threaded thereto and held in la'ce by a lock nut I31a, said cylindrical valve I31 being provided with a conical end I38 which is arranged to seat on the valve seat 34 which is located in the valve casing passageway 33. A coil spring I49 normally forces the valve I38 against its seat when permitted by the compression of the spring I29, said spring being located around a reduced extension I4I on the cylindrical valve I31, the other end of said spring being seated on a disk I42 supported by a shoulder I43 on the cylinder I26, a port I44 being provided in the disk I42.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 5 to 80., I have shown a modified form of my invention which is much simpler in construction and which can be manufactured at a much lower cost. In this form of my invention I have shown on the fitting I5, which leads to the master cylinder I I by means of the pipe I4 in the same way' as in the previously described form of my invention, a valve casing I6 constructedsu-bstantially the same as in the previous form of my invention and which leads by the same passages previously described to an outlet opening 36 in a casting I44a connected to the pipe 38 leading to the brakes for the operation thereof. In thisform of my invention there is a passageway I45 in said casting I44a leading from the inlet I5, to which there is connected an anglefitting I46 having therein a pipe I41. This pipe I41 leads to a fitting I48 which is screw-threaded into a plunger housing I'49 leading by a passageway I50 to a chamber I5I which is closed by a plug I52 having a reduced inner end I53 acting as a stop for the left face of a plunger I54 having a U-shaped rubber seal I55, in an annular recess I56 on said plunger. Said plunger I54 has an internal screw-thread I51 to receive a stem I58 on a smaller plunger I59 in the chamber I5I. The smaller plunger I59 has a U-shaped rubber seal I60 in an annular recess I5I. Furthermore, the said chamber I5I has a passageway I62 leading to a fitting I63 which is connected by a pipe I64 to a fitting 'I85communicating with the outlet opening 36 for the hydraulic liquid. Also, the said chamber I5I has communicating therewith a further passageway I'56 containing an air bleeder screw I61 for normally closing the passageway I66. The said screw I61 has a transverse passageway I68 leading to a central passageway I69 in the screw I61 which passageway I69 is normally closed by a removable screw I10. It will of course be understood that, if desired, the air bleeder 19, shown in connection with the previous form of my invention, may be constructed the same as the air bleeder screw I61 and associated parts just described. The smaller plunger I 59 has on its rear face an extension I1I to which there is attached an outlet valve I12, a rubber gasket I13 being provided in an annular recess I14 adjacent to the plunger I59. The said outlet valve I12 is adapted to seat on a rubber grommet I15, that is to say an eyelet-shaped body of flexible rubber. This is strengthened by an internal stiffening sleeve I16 providing a passageway I11 through the center thereof. The said grommet I15 has a forward L-shaped flange I18 which is clamped against the plunger housing I49 by 6 means of a spacing ring I19 and screws-I83.- The said grommet I15 also 'has a rear flange I8I acting as an inlet valve therefor. In order to provide freedom of movement and in order to provide an air inlet chamber I82, the grommet I15 is spaced away from the inner periphery of the ring I19. It will benoted, furthermore, that the ring I 19 has transverse passageways I83 for the inlet of air to the chamber I82 from an outer chamber I84 which communicates with the outer air through a peripheral space I85 between the ring I 19 and the plunger housing I49. Air, which is thus admitted from the chamber I82, when the flange I8I is unseated from the ring I19, will pass through passageways IBIipro'vided by lugs I81 which support a stop plate I88 held in place on the ring I 19 by screws I89. The air in this way reaches a space I90 within a cylinder I9I which is supported around a shoulder I92 on the rear face of the ring I19. Within the said cylinder I9I there is arranged to reciprocate a piston I93 which supports a leather ring I94 having on the front face of said ring I94 a supporting disk I95. On the rear face of the piston I 93 there is a felt lubricating ring I96, adapted to be provided with a body of lubricating oil initially. The said felt ringhas a supporting disk I 91. The disks I95 and I91 and the piston I93 are carried on a screw I98 having a head I99 contacting with the stop plate I98, and which is screw-threaded into a tubular piston rod 200 having a central passageway 20I therein. The other end of the piston rod 290 is arranged to slide within a bushing 202 in a screw-threaded sleeve 203 which is screw-threaded to a cylinder 204. The forward end of the cylinder 204 is headed into a cylinder head 205 of the cylinder I9I, which head 205 acts as a support for a strong helical spring 206', the other end of which-is supported against the disk I91. A vacuum pipe 201 leading from the manifold of the internal combustion engine is screw-threaded into a vacuum valve casing208, having a check valve 209 with peripheral notches 210, which seats against a valve seat '2 sup ported in the valve casing 208, the latter being headed overinto the cylinder head 205. The vacuum thus communicated to the chamber I19 is conveyed to the other end of the cylinder I9I by a pipe fitting 2I2 headed into the cylinder head I9I, into which there is screw-threaded an angle fitting 2I3 connected by a pipe 2I4 to an angle fitting 2I5 screw-threaded into a passageway 2I6 which connects with a vacuum chamber 2I1, in which the outlet valve I12 is located. The rear end of the tubular piston rod 200 is" provided, at the end of the sleeve 203, with a ring 2I8 adjacent to a U-shaped rubber seal 2I9, adjacent to which there is a ring 220 which is ported to prevent an air lock. The ring 2I8 rests against the rear end of the sleeve 203 and the ring 220 rests against the shoulder within the cylinder 204. Within the central opening 20I there is arranged to reciprocate a head 22I on a rod 222, said head being prevented from escaping from the tubular piston rod 220 by an internal flange 223. The said rod 222, at its rear end, is screw-threaded to a cylindrical valve member 224, held in place by a lock nut 224a, having a flexible rub-b er valve 225 therein which is arranged to seat against the valve seat 34. A coil spring 226 located around a: reduced extension 221 Onthe cylindrical valve 224- is supported at its other end upon a disk 228 having a port 229, said disk being supported upon a shoulder 230 in the cylinder 264, which is screwthreaded into the casting I4'4a.

The cylinder I9I and attached parts to the right thereof are clamped against the ring I19 by means of a clamping plate 23I and three bolts 232, 233 and 234, which pass through said plate 23I and the ring I19. The bolt 232 is provided merely with nuts 235 and 236, whereas the bolts 233 and 234 are longer than the bolt 232 and are provided with inner nuts 231 and 238 which hold the cylinder I9I and attached parts together, while located outside of the nuts 231 and 238 there are brackets 239 and 240 having holes 24I and 242 for supporting the power unit from the chassis of the automobile. Nuts 243 and 244 are located on the ends of the bolts 233 and 234 in order to fasten the bolts 233 and 234 securely to the brackets 239 and 246.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a slightly different form of differential plunger and housing in which it is contained, as compared with the plunger and housing shown in Figs. 1 to 8. In this figure I have shown a differential plunger housing 245 which is constructed in general like the plunger housing 54 having the plug 51 therein, the reaction line port H and the fitting 13 communicating with the pipe 15, also the bleeder port 11 and the bleeder screw 18 for releasing accumulated air. In the chamber 19 therein there is an annular recess 246 in which there is located a flared ring baffle 241 provided with a small port 248 opposite to the bleeder passageway 11 and a large port 249 opposite to the reaction line port 1 I. The said ring 241 is tightly retained in the recess 246 against a shoulder 250 within said chamber 19. A large plunger head 25I located within the chamber 10, has a U- shaped rubber seal 252 in an annular recess 253 therein. The said plunger 25I has a stem 25Ia provided with a reduced extension 254 on which there is carried a rubber seal 255 adjacent to a small plunger 256. On a reducedextension 251 of the plunger 256 there is a gasket 258adjacent to a head 259 which is screw-threaded on the end of said extension 254. The end of the stem 25Ia serves the same purpose as the end of the extension 8| shown in Fig. 4, to receive one end of the spring I I3.

In Figs. 11 and 12 I have shown a plunger 260 that can take the place of the plunger 59, 66, in Fig. 1. The plunger 266 is located in a plunger housing 26I, having an inlet port 262 which can be connected to the pipe 52, and a port 263 which can be connected to the fitting 13, as well as flanges 264 and 265 provided with holes 266 and 261 to receive screws for attachment of the housing to the casting 49. This housing 26I can be attached to the cover 99 in any desired way but for example in the same way as shown in Fig. 1. Within the housing 26I there is a bore 268 for the plunger 266. The said plunger has an annular recessv 269 to receive a rubber seal 210 and is provided also with a rubber seal 21I which latter fits over a reduced extension 212 extending through a stationary rubber seal 213, adjacent to a bushin 214 and held in place by a snap ring 215. Beyond the extension 212 there is an annular recess 216 to receive a sealing ring 211 adjacent to an enlargement 216 to which the outlet valve 80 is attached. A small extension 219 receives the spring I I3.

In the operation of the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4a and 9, assuming that the master cylinder II has been provided with a supply of hydraulic liquid, that the engine isin operation and that it is desired to operate the brakes, upon movin the pedal I downwardly, the hydraulic fluid will be forced from the master cylinder II by means of the pipe I4 through the valve casing I6 till it reaches the opening 36 and is thence discharged by the pipe 38 to the brake system so as to initially move the brakes into position. At the same time the hydraulic liquid will be conveyed by the pipe 41 to the left face of the plunger 59 in the chamber 10 so as thus to seat the outlet valve 80 and unseat the atmospheric air inlet wave I66 to a slight extent, as desired. This initial action in seating the brakes will not be sufficient, however, to start the movement of the piston II5, owing to the compressed helical spring I29. At the same time, also, it will be understood that the hydraulic liquid from the opening 36 is in communication, by the pipe 15, with the chamber 10 located between the differential plungers 59 and 66. Upon further movement of the pedal I, thereby increasing the pressure supplied through the pipe I4, the pressure against the face of the plunger 59 will be accordingly increased, thereby resulting in the further opening of the atmospheric air inlet valve I06 while retaining the outlet valve 86 closed. This position of the valves cuts off the vacuum from access to the left face of the piston H5 and admits atmospheric air from the chamber through the passageways 96, and I05 to the desired extent, resultin in the movement of the piston II5 to the right. This movement of the piston II5 permits the valve I38 to become seated, thus cutting off further access of the liquid from the opening I5 to the opening 36, and thereafter the movement of the piston rod I23 in the cylinder I26 causes the liquid in the latter to be forced under an increased pressure out through the pipe 38, thereby applying power for the operation of the brakes. At all times, however, it will be noted that before and after the application of the power the pressure of the hydraulic liquid applied to the brakes is arranged to react through the pipe 15 on the differential plunger 59, 66 so that the foot at all times receives the reaction of the actual pressures being applied to the brakes. It will be noted that the plunger 59 has a larger rear area than the front face of the plunger 66 so as to produce this reaction towards the foot. In this way, furthermore, the reaction towards the foot produces an extreme nicety of control in the application of the brakes. Besides, any danger of power lock of the brakes, especially during the range of the highest power pressures applied by the apparatus, is avoided. However, in any one position in which the pedal I is held in the power application, the admission of the amount of air permitted to pass from the left face of the valve I66 to the right face thereof will cause the valve I66 to become seated, due to the increased relative pressure on the right face of said valve I96. Also, any hysteresis due to hunting of the movable parts back and forth, is avoided, especially as with this arrangement it is not necessary for the foot to be moved too far in changing from a given pressure applied to the brakes to a slightly lower pressure application of the brakes. It will be understood, of course, that the relative sizes of the plungers 59 and 66 can be changed as well as the actual sizes thereof according to the type of vehicle to which it is applied. Upon releasing the pedal I, to release the brakes, the inlet valve I66 becomes seated on the diaphragm 93 and the outlet valve 8B is then opened, thus giving access of the vacuum to the left face of the piston H and cutting 01f the same from access to the outer air. Inasmuch as the right face of the piston H5 is always subject to the vacuum and as the left face now has access to the vacuum, the piston H5 will be returned by the spring I29 to its initial position, resulting in the head i 32 of the rod I3! being moved by the flange I33 on the piston rod I23 towards the left, again unseating the valve I38 and thus placin in communication again the opening I5 and the opening 36, ready for subsequent manual application of the brakes.

In the form of my invention as shown in Figs. 5 to 8, the operation takes place in substantially the same way as just described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4d and 9. In this instance, however, the submergence of the piston in the vacuum,

which in the previous form of my invention is accomplished by the outer casing 20, is brought about by the pipe 2M which communicates with the two faces of the piston I93. Also, instead of having two diaphragms, a valve-seating spring, and two rigid valves seating thereon, as in the previous form of my invention, I have provided the single rigid outlet valve I 'IZwhich seats on the rubber grommet I15, the latter serving as a selfclosing inlet valve in connection with the ring I19 which supports the grommet I15. In other words, when the power is being applied from the power unit to the brake, the valve I12 will first become seated upon the grommet I and further movement of the valve I12 will push the flange I8! of the grommet I15, acting as an inlet valve, oif its seat on the ring I19, thus admitting to the desired extent the air through the passageways I 85, I83 and chamber I82, to the left face of the piston I 93, resulting in the movement of the same to apply the power to the brakes in the same way as described in connection with the previous form of my invention. In this form of my invention, furthermore, I have utilized a somewhat different type of valve 225 which is made of flexible rubher, but serves substantially the same purpose as the conical valve I38 described in connection with the previous form of my invention.

The operation of the modified form of plunger and housing shown in Fig. 10 is substantially the same as the corresponding parts in Figs. 1 to 9. In this instance, however, the ring-shaped bafile plate 24'! has been provided to permit the bleeding of the air out of the chamber I0, irrespective of whether the bleeder passageway 11 is located at the top or some other radial position Withregard to the chamber l0. This becomes useful where for some reason the power unit is desired to be installed in different radial positions so far as the bleeder passageway 11 is concerned. The view in Fig. 10 shows a substantially horizontal section. However, it will be understood that if the bleeder port I! is at the top of the apparatus the air will readily pass out of the chamber Hi through the small hole 248 and passageway 'I'I when the bleeder screw 18 or I10 is removed. If, instead, the passageway 11 happens to be located at the bottom of the apparatus, when air has accumulated in the upper portion of the chamber 79, the removal of the bleeder screw I8 or I'IB will cause the air to pass around the outer periphery of the baffle 24? so as to be discharged through the passageway TI. Owing to the relative size of the openings 248 and 249, this air will enter the large port 249 and be discharged through the passageway 11 faster than it can escape through the small port 248. On the other hand, when the passageway 11 happens to be at the top of the apparatus the port 248 is large enough to permit the escape of air. The operation of the modified plunger 260, in Figs. 11 and 12, is similar to the operation in the preceding figures except that in this distance the seal 213 is stationary whereas in the preceding figures the seal 68 is movable with the plunger 66.

In all forms of the plunger the area producing a reaction on the foot from the return circuit connected to the delivery line is a small annular area on which the liquid presses against the pedal pressure and the remainder of the area within said annulus is the area receiving the main reaction from the brake operating liquid which is exerted as a reaction back on the pedal through the valve mechanism.

While I have described my invention above in detail I wish it to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the same.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a source of power, valve means for controlling the application of the same, a movable wall, having a housing and having a plunger, operated thereby, a cylinder for said plunger, a part adapted to perform work, having a hydraulic connection leading thereto from said cylinder, adapted to be moved by said wall, a mechanism for controlling the application of power to said wall, including a plunger and cylinder for operating the valve means provided with a manually controlled area and a smaller hydraulic power reactive area, manual means for moving said part independently of the application of said power including a manual pressure transmitting and power pressure controlling valve adapted to close when the power is being applied and a stationary valve seat therefor located apart from said first mentioned plunger, and applying the power to said wall through said mechanism upon the normally developed pressure reaching a predetermined value, and a hydraulic line leading from said hydraulic connection to the second mentioned cylinder to exert a reaction on the manual means coordinate to the force exerted by the manual means.

2. In a device of the character described, a source of power, a movable wall having a housing and having on one side thereof a plunger and a cylinder for the plunger, operated thereby, a part adapted to perform work, having a hydraulic connection, adapted to :be moved by said wall, a valve mechanism for controlling the application of the power to said wall, manual means, including a plunger, connected to the valve mechanism, provided with a manually controlled area and a smaller hydraulic power reactive area on the other side of the movable wall, said manual means being arranged for moving said part independently of the application of said power, said manual means further including a manual pressure transmitting and power .pressure controlling valve adapted to close when the power is being applied and a stationary valve seat. therefor located apart from said first mentioned plunger, and applying the power to said wall through said mechanism upon the normally developed pressure reaching a predetermined value, and a hydraulic line leading from said bydraulic connection to the manual means plunger to exert a reaction on the manual means coordinate to the force exerted by the manual means.

3. In a device of the character described, a

source of power, valve means for controlling the application of the same, a movable .wall, having a housing and having a pressure-intensifying piston operated thereby, a cylinder for said piston, a part adapted to perform work, having a hydraulic connection leading thereto from said cylinder, adapted to be moved by said wall, a

mechanism for controlling the application of power to said wall, including a plunger and cylinder for operating the valve means provided with a manually controlled area and a smaller hydraulic power reactive area, manual means for moving said part independently of the application of said power, including a valve controlling the connection between the manual means and said part and having a lost motion connection to the pressure-intensifying .piston, adapted to close when the power is being applied, and a stationary valve seat therefor, located apart from said first mentioned plunger, and applying the power to said wall through said mechanism upon the normally developed pressure reaching a predetermined value, and a hydraulic line leading from'said hydraulic connection to the second mentioned cylinder to exert, a reaction on the manual means coordinate to the force exerted by the manual means.

4. In a device of the character described, a source of power, a movable wall, having a housing and having a pressure-intensifying piston on one side thereof operated thereby, a cylinder for the piston, a part adapted to perform work, having a hydraulic connection, adapted to be moved by said wall, a valve mechanism for controlling the application of the power to said wall, manual means, including a plunger connected to the valve mechanism, provided with a manually controlled area and a smaller hydraulic power reactive area on the other side of the movable wall, said manual means being arranged for moving said part independently of the application of said power, said manual means further including a valve controlling the connection between the manual means and said part and having a lost motion connection to the pressure-intensifying piston, adapted to close when the power is being applied and a stationary valve seat therefor located apart from said first mentioned plunger, and applying the power to said wall through said mechanism upon the normally developed pressure reaching a predetermined value, and a hydraulic line leading from said hydraulic connection to the manual means plunger to exert a reaction on the manual means coordinate to the force exerted by the manual means.

5. In a device of the character described, a source of power, valve means for controlling the application of the same, a movable wall, having a housing and having a pressure-intensifying piston, operated thereby, a cylinder for said .piston, a part adapted to be moved to perform work, having a hydraulic connection leading thereto from said cylinder, adapted to be moved by said wall, a mechanism for controlling the application of power to said wall, including a plunger and cylinder for operating the valve means provided with a manually controlled area and a smaller hydraulic power reactive area, manual means for moving said part independently of the application of said power, including a valve adapted to close when the power is being applied and a stationary valve seat therefor located apart from said first mentioned plunger, and

applying the power to said wall through said mechanism, upon the normally developed pressure reaching a predetermined value, and a hydraulic line leading from said hydraulic connection to the second mentioned cylinder to exert a reaction on the manual means coordinate to the force exerted by the manual means, said manual means, including a master cylinder, being adapted to deliver liquid to said part, and the delivery from the master cylinder having therein the last mentioned valve arranged to cut off the delivery from said master cylinder to said part.

6. In a device of the character described, a source of power, valve means for controlling the application of the same, a movable wall, having a housing and having a pressure-intensifying piston, operated thereby, a cylinder for said .piston, a part adapted to be moved to perform work, having a hydraulic connection leading thereto from said cylinder, adapted to be moved by said wall, a mechanism for controlling the application of power to said wall, including a plunger and cylinder for operating the valve means provided with a manually controlled area and a smaller hydraulic power reactive area, manual means for moving said part independently of the application of said power, including a valve having a valve member operable by the pressure-intensifying piston, adapted to close when the power is being applied and a stationary valve seat therefor located apart from the pressure-intensifying piston, and applying the power to said wall through said mechanism upon the normally developed pressure reaching a predetermined value, and a hydraulic line leading from said hydraulic connection to the second men tioned cylinder to exert a reaction on the manual means coordinate to the force extended by the manual means, said manual means, including a master cylinder, being adapted to deliver liquid to said part, and said pressure-intensifying piston having thereon the said valve member arranged to cut off the delivery from said master cylinder to said part.

EDWARD A. ROCKWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,847,604 Finsen Mar. 1, 1932 1,938,311 Avery Dec. 5, 1933 1,971,048 Parsons Aug. 21, 1934 2,012,258 Christensen Aug. 27, 1935 2,018,844 Folberth Oct. 29, 1935 2,036,053 Kliesrath Mar. 31, 1936 2,115,438 Wolf Apr. 26, 1938 2,133,275 Andres Oct. 18, 1938 2,191,318 Hoyt Feb. 20, 1940 2,218,191 Dick Oct. 15, 1940 2,236,415 Russell Mar. 25, 1941 2,252,482 Gates Aug. 12, 1941 2,260,490 Stelzer Oct. 28, 1941 2,260,491 Stelzer Oct. 28, 1941 2,275,697 Stelzer Mar. 10, 1942 2,289,043 Rockwell July 7, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 769,257 France June 5, 1934 

